'Time to go' as Irish prepare for World Cup opener

Head coach Philip Doyle has named an experienced side for Ireland’s opening game in the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup against the United States on Friday.

Doyle was bullish ahead of the game, saying “it’s time to go” and that Ireland were lucky to have a strong panel from which to pick.

"The atmosphere has been building up in camp all week and it's time to go, the players can't wait to get out on the pitch and get the campaign started,” Doyle said.

He admitted that the selection had been a tough one, as “we are in a very lucky position of having a strong squad to pick from”; 14 out of the starting 15 were part of Ireland’s grand slam-winning panel in 2013.

Niamh Briggs is named at fullback, with Ashleigh Baxter and Alison Miller on the wings.

Ireland’s most capped women's international, Lynne Cantwell will combine with Grace Davitt in the centre. It’s Cantwell’s fourth World Cup, a remarkable achievement for the Richmond centre.

Nora Stapleton and Tania Rosser will start at outhalf and scrumhalf, respectively.

Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan is joined in the front row by Ailis Egan and, at hooker, Gillian Bourke.

Marie Louise Reilly is joined by Sophie Spence in the second row with Siobhán Fleming and Claire Molloy joining Heather O'Brien in the back row.